Panel to VA: Stop studying causes of Gulf War illnesses, focus on treatment

A scientific panel has concluded that the Veterans Affairs Department should stop searching for links between environmental exposures in the 1991 Persian Gulf War and veterans’ illnesses and instead focus on monitoring and treating those who have health problems related to deploying 25 years ago.

In a report released Thursday, Institute of Medicine researchers said Gulf War veterans are at increased risk for developing some physical and psychological health conditions like post-traumatic stress, anxiety, Gulf War illness and chronic fatigue syndrome, but other diseases like cancer, respiratory illnesses and most neurodegenerative conditions do not appear to occur at higher rates in these former troops.

Without concrete information on each Gulf War veteran’s exposure and the unlikely prospect of ever having the data, VA should focus instead on following this group as members age and treat illnesses that develop, panelists said.

According to the report, the federal government has spent more than $500 million since 1994 to study Gulf War veterans' health but “there has been little substantial progress in our overall understanding of the health effects” from the 1990-1991 deployments.

Thus, “without definitive and verifiable individual veteran exposure information, further studies to determine cause-and-effect relationships between Gulf War exposures and health conditions in Gulf War veterans should not be undertaken,” wrote the panel of researchers, including experts in environmental health, epidemiology and medicine.

Future research, they added, should focus on personalized care for veterans, follow-up assessments and treatment.

The panel's top recommendation also said VA should thoroughly study the “mind-body” connection of disease.

"Any future studies of Gulf War illness should recognize the connections and complex relationships between brain and physical functioning and should not exclude any aspect of the illness with regard to improving its diagnosis and treatment,” panelists noted.

The new report has outraged advocates for veterans who suffer from illnesses stemming from their service in the 1990-1991 operation.

They argue the report reflects a bias among the panel toward VA and panelists were selective in choosing which studies they reviewed for the study, "Gulf War and Health, Volume 10: Update of Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War, 2016."

"IOM committees should not be made up of former VA officials and their friends," said Rick Weidman, executive director for policy and governmental affairs for Vietnam Veterans of America. “It's outrageous that the VA under secretary from the 1990s who began the policy of minimizing Gulf War illness was on this committee or that the committee chair was on record before she was appointed saying you can't say what caused it.”

"The science is unequivocal, if viewed honestly and in its totality: Toxic exposures were responsible,” said Dr. Beatrice Golomb, a professor of medicine at the University of California-San Diego and former scientific director for the VA's Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illness. "But the IOM doesn't look at all relevant studies. This 'don't look, don't find' practice has been a consistent problem in IOM Gulf War reports.”

The report examined studies on myriad diseases and their prevalence in Gulf War veterans as well as those who did not deploy. The panel then categorized these illnesses on a spectrum ranging from the strongest link — "sufficient evidence of a causal relationship” — to "inadequate or insufficient evidence to determine an association.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder was the only condition the panel found to be caused by Gulf War deployment. The group also found sufficient evidence of an association for generalized anxiety disorder, depression, substance abuse, gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome and Gulf War illness, a catch-all term used to describe undiagnosed symptoms in Gulf War veterans.

According to the report, there also is "limited but suggestive" evidence that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, fibromalygia and chronic pain and self-reported sexual dysfunction are related to Gulf War deployment.

But it found little or no evidence that cancer, skin conditions, birth defects, musculoskeletal system diseases, multiple sclerosis and other illnesses were related.

“In spite of a thorough literature search, [this] committee found little evidence to warrant changes to the conclusions made by [a previous IOM] committee regarding the strength of the association between deployment to the Gulf War and adverse health outcomes," they wrote.

About a quarter of the war's 700,000 veterans developed symptoms after deployment that include chronic headaches, widespread pain, memory loss, persistent fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, skin conditions and mood disturbances.

Researchers have determined that environmental factors, such as chemical exposures in the region, including sarin gas, pesticides and anti-nerve-agent pills, may have played a role in development of diseases among some troops.

Anthony Hardie, a Gulf War veteran and director of Veterans for Common Sense, said the new report refutes earlier studies and is insulting to those who served as well as widows of those who have died from diseases like brain cancer and ALS.

“It’s the same old government theme from the 1990s to deny what happened and deny care and benefits — just when research to understand the illness and identify treatments is finally making real progress,” Hardie said.

Patricia Kime covers military and veterans’ health care and medicine for Military Times. She can be reached at pkime@militarytimes.com

3 comments:

US Navy aboard USS John F Kennedy 91-92 and was enlisted from 91-94. I have been one of the many, that have been down that grueling road of so many diagnosis. Fibromyalgia Cognitive disorder PTSDIBSTBIMood disorder And many more.

I have been put on the back burner, and I know I am not alone. In my opinion, the GWI, is going to end up being the vaccinations that we all received, and those fellow military personnel that were stationed in the Gulf with the same issues will be the first to go (die), because of all the chemical and biological substances they were exposed to. Basically, those substances compounded the effect.

I checked onboard the carrier right after they came back from the Persian Gulf, literally. I don't know exactly when I started having issues, but it has been at least ten years. I can't remember a lot of things these days. I have tried to fix myself because of the VA always wants to go down the mental health road. I can't remember how many anti-depressants I have tried but it has been too many and it would throw me way off into, not left field but foul.

Maybe it was the flight deck gear that I was issued ( that was not cleaned) or the whole ship was contaminated with what ever was in the air. For all I know the ship was or wasn't in the path of being down wind. I don't know! I don't remember a lot of things these days. IT IS REAL THOUGH!!!!

I put my name on the gulf war registry with reluctance do to the fact that I was not deployed ( my ship, when I was aboard, did go that direction at one time but I don't know how close). The nurses or personnel at the VA hospital told me that since I was not a ground troop, that I don't fit the criteria and made me feel ( like I already didn't ) like I was a disgrace for even doing so. I worked with many prior military personnel from all ages that influenced me into filing with the registry and now I am glad that I did.

I have so many issues that I alone try to fix because there are so many younger vets coming back that need help.

I am no longer working and I am getting 100% after a very long road but never diagnosed with GWI. I just started researching this GWI again. It has been over 8 years since I initially started and briefly, researched GWI/GWS and it is me. Since I was not into the thick of oil fires, DU, pesticides, etc., it has taken me longer to have the same symptoms as those who were. Again, those who were in the thick of it, have had there symptoms excellerateded (sooner, than later).

I have been told so much BS by the VA that had made me want to skip living. I would like to know how many of us have been told (not in so many or exact words) that "there is nothing wrong with you." How many of us have done what I have thought of doing because of it? Not to mention the so called professionals that still have their jobs.

I need help and anti-depressants are not the answer. I say that for others who might be prescribed numerous meds that will make you feel like hurting yourself.

I had dreams. I was productive member in society. I helped people who needed it. I worked my ass off when I was able. I used to know how to have fun. I used to be social. I used to have solutions to problems. I used to live......

My ex-wife had two miscarriages. I have degenrative joint disease, arthritis, and that is just some of what I have been diagnosed with.I have sleep problems, blurred vision, breathing problems, anxiety, high blood pressure, and there are so many things going on.There is no rhyme or reason for any of these but I know I am too young (44) to have so many issues and so extreme. I remember my coworkers that were twice my age telling me that I was like an 80 year old with all the problems that I had.

US Navy aboard USS John F Kennedy 91-92 and was enlisted from 91-94. I have been one of the many, that have been down that grueling road of so many diagnosis. Fibromyalgia Cognitive disorder PTSDIBSTBIMood disorder And many more.

I have been put on the back burner, and I know I am not alone. In my opinion, the GWI, is going to end up being the vaccinations that we all received, and those fellow military personnel that were stationed in the Gulf with the same issues will be the first to go (die), because of all the chemical and biological substances they were exposed to. Basically, those substances compounded the effect.

I checked onboard the carrier right after they came back from the Persian Gulf, literally. I don't know exactly when I started having issues, but it has been at least ten years. I can't remember a lot of things these days. I have tried to fix myself because of the VA always wants to go down the mental health road. I can't remember how many anti-depressants I have tried but it has been too many and it would throw me way off into, not left field but foul.

Maybe it was the flight deck gear that I was issued ( that was not cleaned) or the whole ship was contaminated with what ever was in the air. For all I know the ship was or wasn't in the path of being down wind. I don't know! I don't remember a lot of things these days. IT IS REAL THOUGH!!!!

I put my name on the gulf war registry with reluctance do to the fact that I was not deployed ( my ship, when I was aboard, did go that direction at one time but I don't know how close). The nurses or personnel at the VA hospital told me that since I was not a ground troop, that I don't fit the criteria and made me feel ( like I already didn't ) like I was a disgrace for even doing so. I worked with many prior military personnel from all ages that influenced me into filing with the registry and now I am glad that I did.

I have so many issues that I alone try to fix because there are so many younger vets coming back that need help.

I am no longer working and I am getting 100% after a very long road but never diagnosed with GWI. I just started researching this GWI again. It has been over 8 years since I initially started and briefly, researched GWI/GWS and it is me. Since I was not into the thick of oil fires, DU, pesticides, etc., it has taken me longer to have the same symptoms as those who were. Again, those who were in the thick of it, have had there symptoms excellerateded (sooner, than later).

I have been told so much BS by the VA that had made me want to skip living. I would like to know how many of us have been told (not in so many or exact words) that "there is nothing wrong with you." How many of us have done what I have thought of doing because of it? Not to mention the so called professionals that still have their jobs.

I need help and anti-depressants are not the answer. I say that for others who might be prescribed numerous meds that will make you feel like hurting yourself.

I had dreams. I was productive member in society. I helped people who needed it. I worked my ass off when I was able. I used to know how to have fun. I used to be social. I used to have solutions to problems. I used to live......

US Navy aboard USS John F Kennedy 91-92 and was enlisted from 91-94. I have been one of the many, that have been down that grueling road of so many diagnosis. Fibromyalgia Cognitive disorder PTSDIBSTBIMood disorder And many more.

I have been put on the back burner, and I know I am not alone. In my opinion, the GWI, is going to end up being the vaccinations that we all received, and those fellow military personnel that were stationed in the Gulf with the same issues will be the first to go (die), because of all the chemical and biological substances they were exposed to. Basically, those substances compounded the effect.

I checked onboard the carrier right after they came back from the Persian Gulf, literally. I don't know exactly when I started having issues, but it has been at least ten years. I can't remember a lot of things these days. I have tried to fix myself because of the VA always wants to go down the mental health road. I can't remember how many anti-depressants I have tried but it has been too many and it would throw me way off into, not left field but foul.

Maybe it was the flight deck gear that I was issued ( that was not cleaned) or the whole ship was contaminated with what ever was in the air. For all I know the ship was or wasn't in the path of being down wind. I don't know! I don't remember a lot of things these days. IT IS REAL THOUGH!!!!

I put my name on the gulf war registry with reluctance do to the fact that I was not deployed ( my ship, when I was aboard, did go that direction at one time but I don't know how close). The nurses or personnel at the VA hospital told me that since I was not a ground troop, that I don't fit the criteria and made me feel ( like I already didn't ) like I was a disgrace for even doing so. I worked with many prior military personnel from all ages that influenced me into filing with the registry and now I am glad that I did.

I have so many issues that I alone try to fix because there are so many younger vets coming back that need help.

I am no longer working and I am getting 100% after a very long road but never diagnosed with GWI. I just started researching this GWI again. It has been over 8 years since I initially started and briefly, researched GWI/GWS and it is me. Since I was not into the thick of oil fires, DU, pesticides, etc., it has taken me longer to have the same symptoms as those who were. Again, those who were in the thick of it, have had there symptoms excellerateded (sooner, than later).

I have been told so much BS by the VA that had made me want to skip living. I would like to know how many of us have been told (not in so many or exact words) that "there is nothing wrong with you." How many of us have done what I have thought of doing because of it? Not to mention the so called professionals that still have their jobs.

I need help and anti-depressants are not the answer. I say that for others who might be prescribed numerous meds that will make you feel like hurting yourself.

I had dreams. I was productive member in society. I helped people who needed it. I worked my ass off when I was able. I used to know how to have fun. I used to be social. I used to have solutions to problems. I used to live......

My ex-wife had two miscarriages. I have degenrative joint disease, arthritis, and that is just some of what I have been diagnosed with.I have sleep problems, blurred vision, breathing problems, anxiety, high blood pressure, and there are so many things going on.There is no rhyme or reason for any of these but I know I am too young (44) to have so many issues and so extreme. I remember my coworkers that were twice my age telling me that I was like an 80 year old with all the problems that I had.

About 91outcomes

91outcomes.com is a health and news website for veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.

The health outcomes of the 1991 Gulf War continue to profoundly affect between one-fourth and one-third, according to official estimates, of the war’s nearly 700,000 U.S. veterans.

They also affect innumerable fellow veterans from our Coalition partners, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and the Czech Republic, to name just a few.

The aim of 91outcomes.com is to provide fellow Gulf War veterans and their caregivers, advocates, and loved ones, with a credible source of information for health information on Gulf War Illness and other news, all in one place, some of which isn't available anywhere else.

***

About Me

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Anthony Hardie, the publisher and editor of 91outcomes.com. I created 91outcomes.com in 2009** because I'm also one of the 250,000 veterans of the 1991 Gulf War afflicted by Gulf War Illness, and this is what I choose to do to help my fellow Gulf War veterans. Of course, there's much more that remains to be done -- please feel free to jump in and help however you may see fit to fill those many gaps.

I've been continuously active as a national advocate on Gulf War and other veterans' issues since 1995, shortly after my honorable discharge after seven years of U.S. Army service that included serving in the 1991 Gulf War and Somalia. Later, in part because of that advocacy work, I was selected to be a Congressional aide, and then a veterans’ affairs state agency executive. If you're really interested, you can read more about me on my Google profile.

I also do my best to to help my fellow Gulf War veterans by serving as an affected veteran on the programmatic panel that leads and guides theGulf War Illness Research Program, part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). And, I'm a former longtime member of VA's Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC) and the VA’s Gulf War Illness [Research] Steering Committee. In my service on these panels, I do my very best to represent the many other ill and affected Gulf War veterans, including the readers of this website.

**NOTE: Much of the content on 91outcomes is "fair use" content archived for personal use and for single-site archival use by other Gulf War veterans. Articles dated prior to 2009 are archival in nature, and are pre-dated concurrent to the time noted in the article.

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Depleted Uranium (DU) in the Gulf

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